By CHRIS JACKETT
Sunday Times Newspapers
Downriver residents will have quite the selection Tuesday when they take to the polls for the state’s primary election.

Most of the Michigan and U.S. congressional positions in the region are up for grabs with the incumbents in the race, but the 8th District will have a new state senator because Raymond Basham, D-Taylor, is term limited. The district comprises Allen Park, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Riverview, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Wayne, Wyandotte. Basham is running to represent the Wayne County Commission’s 15th District, where incumbent Edward Boike Jr. is not seeking re-election.

Also on the ballot for local residents is a Wayne County Transit Authority levy renewal seeking to keep things rolling with the current transportation levy of 59 cents per $1,000 of taxable value on assessed property. The four-year tax would assist the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation with its goal of serving the elderly, handicapped and general public throughout the county. Estimates say the millage would generate more than $12 million when levied later this year.

The 1st District Appeals Court and the 32A District Court that represents Allen Park, Melvindale, Riverview and Wyandotte, among others, do not have any action on the primary ballot.

In the Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit resident Wanda Evans and 19 incumbents battle for 19 six-year incumbent positions. Susan L. Hubbard (Dearborn), Gary Jones (Detroit) and John J. Sullivan (Northville) face off for the single six-year, nonincumbent position with the court.

Mario Fundarski, R-Inkster, and Robert Ficano, D-Detroit, are the lone candidates for the four-year Wayne County executive position. Shelly Milton, R-Belleville; Taras Nykoriak, R-Hamtramck; Daniel Dean Sr., D-Detroit; Walter Epps, D-Detroit; Luke Granberry Jr., D-Detroit; Benny Napoleon, D-Detroit; and Danny Smith, D-Detroit, all seek the Wayne County sheriff position that is only a partial term lasting until the end of 2012.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the state. For polling locations go to https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote.

The following are the incumbents and other candidates, listed with political affiliation and hometown, for the U.S. and state congressional seats, as well as the county commissioner position. Representatives and county commissioners serve for two years, senators for four.